First, let's look at the positive attributes. Teddy Roosevelt was a Progressive president who made the role of government larger, especially in terms of consumer protections. He enforced the Sherman Antitrust Act and broke up several large businesses. He also passed legislation to keep food and drugs safe for the American people. Theodore Roosevelt was also an avid naturalist and he created many national parks--more national parks than any other president.
Now, let's look at some negative attributes. Depending on your view of what government should be to the American people, you may regard his expanding role of government into people's lives as a bad thing. Roosevelt was also quite hawkish--as Assistant Secretary of the Navy under McKinley, he was a one-man campaign for war with Spain in 1898 well before the Maine exploded in Havana harbor. He also wanted America to get into WWI as early as 1914 and he tried to bully Wilson into going to war after the sinking of the Lusitania killed 128 Americans in 1915. Due to a personal dispute with Taft in 1912, be broke up the Republican party and created the Bull Moose Party; through his constant need for attention, he cost his party the election. He was also a trophy hunter who went all over the world killing animals that are now endangered. Teddy Roosevelt is considered one of our greatest presidents, and my view may be a little biased since I'm a fan of him, but like all people, he had his flaws.
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